When people travel to other countries, most of them don’t carry their passport with them. They’ll keep it in their hotel (or cruise) safe, lock it in their suitcase, etc. Many people may keep an electronic or even paper copy of their passport with them, but generally speaking, most people don’t bring their actual passport with them when they’re out and about in a foreign country.
Usually this is no problem at all, because the laws in most countries don’t specify that you must have your passport with you at all times when you’re visiting. But there are some that do – either for specific activities, or “just because.” So it’s best to know which countries those are.
Countries that require visitors to carry their passport at all times
Belgium
Requires all visitors to have their passport with them at all times.
Indonesia
Indonesian authorities have recently introduced new, random checkpoints across Bali to enforce local laws and prevent unruly tourists from breaking them. The measure comes following months of complaints from locals about visitors’ misbehavior.
The new policy began late last month. Under it, officers are authorized to stop foreigners virtually anywhere – on the roads, on the beaches or at checkpoints – and demand to see passports or stay permits (KITAS).
Salah satu peran penting petugas keimigrasian di lapangan adalah melakukan random check terhadap WNA di Bali, khususnya di wilayah kerja Kantor Imigrasi Ngurah Rai. Pemeriksaan ini bertujuan untuk memastikan setiap WNA mematuhi aturan dan tertib administrasi keimigrasian pic.twitter.com/L3AlRzHD8X
— Imigrasi Ngurah Rai (@imngurahrai) August 22, 2025
Italy
Requires all visitors to either have their passport, or a photocopy of your passport’s information page with them at all times. If you’re holding a copy of your passport, are stopped by authorities for whatever reason and they have additional questions, they’ll be happy to escort you back to your hotel so they can see the hard copy of your passport.
Japan
Requires all visitors to have their passport with them at all times. It’s also recommended that travelers keep a photocopy of their passport at the hotel (or an electronic copy on your phone).
Malaysia
Requires all visitors to have their passport with them at all times.
Panama
Requires all visitors to have their passport with them at all times.
Spain
Requires all visitors to either have their passport, or a photocopy of your passport’s information page with them at all times. If you’re holding a copy of your passport, are stopped by authorities for whatever reason and they have additional questions, they’ll be happy to escort you back to your hotel so they can see the hard copy of your passport.
Thailand
Requires all visitors to either have their passport, or a photocopy of your passport’s information page with them at all times. If you’re only holding a copy of your passport, are stopped by authorities for whatever reason and they have additional questions, they’ll be happy to escort you back to your hotel so they can see the hard copy of your passport.
Other times you’ll need your passport
There are some countries where you’re not required to carry a passport with you at all times, but you’ll need it for specific situations:
China
You’ll need your passport if you’re buying or picking up train tickets at a train station. Some museums also request to see a passport before you can enter museums and other sites.
South Africa
You’ll specifically need to have your passport with you if you want to exchange money.
Miscellaneous
Some countries will want to see your passport in order for you to:
- Be able to go into a restricted area (read: if you’re on a tour)
- Get a tax refund at a store
- Register SIM cards
- Get money from a bank
- Do money exchange
- Check into your hotel
- Pick up tickets
Be safe out there!
Obviously, some people are a little concerned about carrying their passport with them. If you’re in a country where you have to carry your passport at all times, keep it safe. Make sure it’s hidden, preferably in an interior pocket or compartment that requires real effort to get access to it. Putting it in a money belt can work well, too. If that place has RFID-blocking technology, even better! But leaving it in a pants pocket, loose in your purse, etc. is just asking for trouble.
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